Country Report - USA - NCPTF

National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund

  1. Does a specific Peace Tax law proposal exist in your country?

    YES

  2. What would be the name of the proposed law?

    THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM PEACE TAX FUND BILL

  3. Please give a brief outline or summary of it:

    HERE IS THE OFFICIAL SUMMARY WRITTEN BY THE U.S. CONGRESS:

    TO AFFIRM THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF TAXPAYERS WHO ARE CONSCIENTIOUSLY OPPOSED TO PARTICIPATION IN WAR, TO PROVIDE THAT THE INCOME, ESTATE, OR GIFT TAX PAYMENTS OF SUCH TAXPAYERS BE USED FOR NONMILITARY PURPOSES, TO CREATE THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM PEACE TAX FUND TO RECEIVE SUCH TAX PAYMENTS, TO IMPROVE REVENUE COLLECTION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

    (THE ‘OTHER PURPOSES’ ARE NOT EXPLAINED.

  4. Has it been introduced and / or discussed in parliament (when, how often, which were the results)?

    YES, A FORM OF THE PEACE TAX FUND BILL HAS BEEN INTRODUCED IN EACH NEW SESSION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SINCE 1972 (EVERY TWO YEARS). IT WAS ALSO INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE IN 1975. CURRENTLY WE HAVE NO BILL IN THE U.S. SENATE BECAUSE WE FEEL IT BEST TO GET A REPUBLICAN CO-SPONSOR IN ADDITION TO THE FEW DEMOCRATIC SUPPORTERS THAT WE HAVE. THE TAX­WRITING COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE RECEIVED TESTIMONY AND HELD A HEARING ON THE BILL IN 1992. THE BILL HAS NEVER REACHED THE FLOOR OF EITHER BODY OF CONGRESS, BECAUSE IT WAS NEVER VOTED TO THE FLOOR BY THE TAX-WRITING COMMITTEES.

  5. What can you say about history, development, stages and future aspects of such a proposal which might be of interest to other Peace Tax campaigners?

    WE HAVE CONTINUED TO ADD NEW MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO THE LIST OF SUPPORTERS. IN THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE (FOLLOWING THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11), NEW MEMBERS ARE STILL SIGNING UP, ALTHOUGH OTHERS SAY THAT IT SEEMS TO COLLIDE WITH NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS. WE HAVE NEVER HAD MORE THAN 12.5 PERCENT OF THE HOUSE, OR FOUR PERCENT OF THE SENATE. THE NUMBER OF SUPPORTERS (WE CALL THEM CO-SPONSORS) DOES NOT MEASURE ALL SUPPORT. SOME CONGRESS PERSONS SAY THEY WILL NOT SIGN THEIR NAME TO THE BILL, BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO STAND IN THE WAY OF ITS PROGRESS, AND WILL LIKELY VOTE FOR IT.

  6. Are there any plans for the future to go on or to become politically active for legislation in your country?

    WE WILL CONTINUE. OUR CONSTITUENTS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US FINANCIALLY.

  7. Please give name and address of a person who can give and receive further information with regard to Peace Tax legislation.
  • Marian Franz, National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund
  • 2121 Decatur Place, NW, Washington, DC 20008
  • Tel -202-483-3751, FAX-202-986-0667
  • E-mail - marianfranz@peacetax.com (the current address is info@peacetaxfund.org - webweaver 17 September 2007)